查看文章

Background.

Retrospective comparison of treatment-related kidney transplant outcomes may be facilitated by multivariable statistical adjustments and case-matching.

Methods.

We studied Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network registry data for kidney transplants in 2001 to 2005 managed with thymoglobulin, basiliximab, or no antibody induction and discharge maintenance immunosuppression regimens of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. The primary outcome was the 6 month, Food and Drug Administration-approved composite endpoint of rejection, graft failure, or death. Outcomes according to induction exposure were compared using logistic regression analysis, exposure likelihood matching, and outcome risk score matching.

Results.

All statistical approaches demonstrated lower rates of the 6-month triple endpoint with thymoglobulin compared with basiliximab when steroids were present, with …